Chapter 1

It was a morning from Saturday and I have nothing to do with my life. Kasalukuyan akong nakahiga sa kama at nanunuod ng isang tv series sa Netflix. Inabot na rin ako kanina ng madaling araw kasi hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na putulin ang panunuod. Medyo tinanghali tuloy ako nang gising ngayon.

Narinig ko ang boses ni Mommy na parang may kausap sa baba. I decided to check who is it so I paused the movie for a while. Dinig ko na ang malakas na boses ni Mommy pababa palang ako sa hagdan.

Who is it? May bisita ba siya?

I spotted her in our living area, her phone was placed on her ear and a small frown was etched on her face.

"We already talked about this, Franco! Anong hindi tuloy ang sinasabi mo riyan?" the frown on her face disappeared when she saw me. Her forehead creased like she heard something irritating from the line.

"What flash drive? I'll be late for my appointment, hon. Why don't you just ask someone to pick it up?" she added.

She paused, listening to my father's reply. "Ask someone to pick it up!"

"Franco-"

She stood up from the chair. My mother looked irritated as she looked at her phone. She clicked the button to lock the screen of her phone before she massaged her forehead with her free hand. She paced back and forth and my eyes followed her.

"Is everything okay, Mom?" I asked.

I sat down in front of her and waited for her reply.

Inabot ko ang orange juice na tinimpla at uminom roon bago sinubo ang huling cookies na hawak ko. Hindi naman ako masyadong gutom kaya ayos na iyon para sa akin.

"Your father left an important flash drive and he needs me to bring it to him this morning," she paused. "Your Daddy really likes to piss me off! Mabilis akong tatanda nang dahil sa kanya!"

Ibinaba ko ang baso sa lamesa nang may maisip na ideya. Wala naman akong ginagawa kaya pwede akong magdala kay Daddy. Didiretso na rin siguro ako sa mall pagkatapos kong ibigay iyon.

"I can bring it for you if you like. I'm not busy anymore," I kindly suggested and her face immediately glowed.

She gaped at me with squinted eyes. I smiled innocently.

"What do you want?" she asked suspiciously.

A small grin on my face appeared. "Can I use my car? I promise I'll be careful!" I told it faster.

I feel excited because she didn't allow me to drive since I hit our car last time. She was so furious at me! She restricted me and never let me drive the car again.

Mom glanced at her watch before she replied to me. She breathed deeply before bowing her head.

"Okay," she mumbled and I couldn't grin harder. "But, please be mindful when you're driving, Avianna! Baka mamatay ako ng maaga kapag nabalitaan kong nabangga ka na naman!"

"I promise!" I squawked in excitement.

She laughed with my reaction and nodded. I cheered and quickly stood up from my chair. Lumapit ako sa kanya at humalik sa kanyang pisngi.

I put on some long denim skirt, white square neck top with a cute small ribbon in the middle, and two-inches black two-way strap sandals. I coated my lips with some lipstick and applied some powder on my cheeks then sprayed my favorite Jo Malone perfume on my wrist and neck before going down.

Nagmamadali ako sa pagbaba sa hagdan dahil sa sobrang excitement na nararamdaman ko. It's been a while since I last drove my car.

I was eighteen when my Mom and Dad allowed me to drive my car. They gave the car to me as a gift for my eighteenth birthday. It was supposed to be their graduation gift to me but I've been telling them how I love to have my car back then. I'm the only child so it's not a surprise that they have been spoiling me so much.

Nagpahatid sa akin si Mommy sa appointment niya dahil madadaanan naman daw namin ito. I didn't bother asking her about that. After I dropped her off, I headed straight to our company. I wasn't born yet and my parents haven't even met when the company was established. It was the company of my grandfather who passed away.

Alcantara Construction is recognized for providing accurate construction services and uncompromised construction quality. My grandfather works as an engineer back then in a well-known company. He endeavored strenuously to get to the top and decided to build his own company at an early age.

My grandmother told me that people don't believe in my grandfather when he was still starting. But that didn't make him stop doing what's his dream. He believes that people don't need to trust in you to help you succeed. You only have to work hard, they'll believe when you achieve success.

On top of that, good management and having the most reliable team are some of the reasons behind the company's accomplishment. My dad was handling it now since his father died.

Ever since my father started working as the director of the company he started working mellifluously with his older brothers, Tito Faustino and Tito Fidel, the company started developing more. After several years, ACGC established partnerships and subsidiaries in and out of the country.

ACGC completed numerous projects in and out of the country. They are a recognized leader in quality of construction, safety and client satisfaction. The company provides a tailored service to the building industry and offers a variety of building services. It has grown exponentially based on the strong work ethics of my grandfather. This rapid growth caused the business to burst out of its sutures at its previous premises all over Asia.

I gave the car keys to the valet. I've been here a lot of times that's why the employees already knew me. The guard didn't try to ask me questions and get my ID anymore. I heard the receptionist greet me before I got inside the elevator. I tapped the number of the floor my daddy was working on.

My father's secretary, Leila, was still at her desk when I reached the office. I think she's going somewhere.

"Hey, Miss Leila!" I called which caused her to halt and looked at me.

"Miss Avi, good morning!" she returned with a wide smile plastered on her face. She looked pleased to see me.

I smiled. "Avi nalang po!"

Nakakahiya naman kung tatawagin niya akong ganoon at saka hindi rin ako sanay.

"Sige na nga!"

"What brings you here, Avi?" she continued.

I smiled at her before I replied. "I need to bring this flash drive to my dad. I supposed this is needed in his projects. He told my mom he needs it now but my Mom is kind of busy so I offered on delivering it." kinuha ko ang flash drive sa bag na dala ko at ipinatong iyon sa ibabaw ng lamesa sa harap ko.

I haven't been in the office for almost two months. I've been busy with school since I have lots of requirements to make. It's always good to see her because she's a genuine person. I've known her since I was a kid because my dad used to bring me here. She already works even when I'm not yet born. My father told me that she was his schoolmate before in college.

Her face brightened when she saw the flash drive I put on the table.

"Oh, yes! We need this in a few hours. Thank you so much!" she giggled and get the flash drive.

Miss Leila opened her laptop before she plug-in the flash drive to check what's inside. She's probably checking if all the necessary documents are inside it.

"No worries. Where's my Dad, anyway?" I glimpsed at the closed door of the office. "Is he inside his office?"

"Mr. Alcantara is currently in a meeting right now. Saglit lang naman iyon," she explained. Tumingin siya sa kanyang relo.

"The meeting will end in 15 minutes. He's speaking to a client right now for a huge project next month. Do you want to wait inside his office?"

"Sure."

Hinatid niya ako sa loob ng opisina ni Daddy at pinaupo sa silya sa tapat ng isang parisukat na mesa.

"Do you want some drinks?"

"No, thank you!" I smiled.

"Okay. I have a few tasks to do so I'll leave you now, okay?"

I nod my head. Ngumiti siya sa akin bago tumalikod at lumakad palabas ng silid.

My phone vibrated on my skirt's pocket. I pulled my phone out and pressed the button to open the screen to see who sent the message.

Maxine:

Hey, Avi! Can you come with me later at the gymnasium?

Kumunot ang noo ko sa text niya. Anong gagawin namin doon?

Me:

What are we gonna do there?

My phone beeped for another message.

Maxine:

My boyfriend invited me to watch their practice game but I don't want to go there alone. Come with me, please?

I'm not even interested in basketball so I'll just be bored there. I rolled my eyes with her answer. Boyfriend niya iyon kaya bakit kailangan kasama pa ako? Hindi rin naman ako interesado roon kaya walang dahilan para sumama pa ako sa kanya.

Me:

What does it have to do with me? Don't bother me, Maxine. Try asking Alliah, not me.

Napailing nalang ako habang nagta-type. I told her to be careful with that guy because he's a known playboy! Maxine didn't even listen to me and she even defended that guy!

I heard my phone beeped again. I sighed.

Maxine:

I tried asking her before you but she's busy right now. Come on, Avi!

I was about to reply but she sent a message again.

Maxine:

If you're not going with me, I'll forward your picture to your mother kissing some guy!

My eyes widened with her text. What the hell! She got a picture of it on her phone?! I was at a friend's party at that time.

It happened when I was with her in a club in Taguig. I didn't know they captured a photo of that moment! I was so drunk when it happened that's why I lost control and kissed some random guy!

I can't even recognize the face of the guy I kissed! It was all blurry on my mind and it was a bit hazy there too.

Me:

What the hell, Maxine! Are you trying to blackmail me? You're so unfair!

Maxine:

Let's meet at Gate 3. You should be there at 1:00 PM. Don't try on ditching me!

I sighed out of defeat. I can't believe I fell into her trap! I'll make her delete the photo later so she can't use it for me again!

I peeped at the time on my phone screen and it's 11:00 PM right now. Our school is one hour away from here and not to mention the traffic here in Manila.

Umangat ang tingin ko nang bumukas ang pinto ng opisina ni Daddy.

"Avi!" he walked towards me and kissed my cheek.

"Daddy, I'll go now, I need to go somewhere. Did you get the flash drive?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Oo, anak. Inabot na sa akin ng secretary ko kanina. Thank you for bringing it here."

"Where's your Mom?"

"She's on a meeting right now."

"Hmm. She's probably mad at me again," he chucked.

"Yes, Dad. She's pissed because of you!" We both laughed.

"Have you eaten lunch?"

"Not yet, Dad. Ikaw po ba?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Hindi pa rin. Sinabi sa akin ni Leila na nandito ka kaya hinintay na kita. Samahan mo muna ako kumain bago ka umalis."

Tumango nalang ako. Alam kong hindi naman niya ako papayagan na umalis nang hindi kumakain. Inutusan ni Daddy si Miss Leila na dalhan kami ng pagkain sa office niya kaya hindi na namin kailangan na lumabas.

There's a round table placed at the side of his office with two chairs in it. His office was enormously large and the designs looked modernized. The walls are coated with white and the linings are in brown that screams professionalism. There's also a sofa on the left side of the room and its comfort room. What I like about the room is the glass wall at his back that allows you to see the small buildings outside.

Pagkatapos kumain ay nagpaalam na ko kay Daddy at humalik sa kanyang pisngi bago umalis. I glanced at my phone to know the time and it's 12:15 PM already.

I drove the car to school as soon as I got my keys in the valet. It was very lucky for me that I'm not stuck in the traffic. I placed my car beside a white Audi RS3 Sedan in the car park. I blew a breath when I arrived at the university before 1:00 PM.

I shut the car door and get my cell phone out of my pocket. While looking at my phone, I heard a car door being locked. I was fiddling with my phone when I crashed into something hard. I almost lost my balance when abruptly a hand gripped my waist.

My eyes widened when I recovered. I glanced at the owner of the hand and saw a guy who looked like a God from Mt. Olympus. His cheeks are chiseled like a finely-carved Michelangelo statue. I was completely amazed by his romanesque nose. The sunlight is hitting his slightly tanned skin, causing his features to stand out. His hair is like deep waves that I wouldn't mind riding. I stared at his beautiful charcoal black eyes that made me feel like he's reaching my soul.

I heard a car approaching and that's when I came back to my senses. He's still holding my waist that's why I pushed his chest with my hand and distanced myself from him. I cleared my throat and he removed his hands off quickly and gazed at me with astonishment on his face. He didn't try to remove his eyes from me, though.

"I'm sorry." I sincerely apologize. It was my fault that I didn't look to where I was going.

He didn't respond to me and remained there, staring at me. Do I have dirt on my face right now? I brought my hand on my face and the side of my lips to check if there's anything I can find there. My forehead creased when I didn't get something. I gazed at him with confusion as he continued gawking at me.

Why is he staring at me like that? What's his problem? Does he know me?

"What?"

I asked when I couldn't take it anymore. His eyes blink for a few times like he just realizes that he's been staring too much before he shook his head. I caught him biting his lower lip to hide his smile. 
"Nothing."

We're staring at each other when my phone rang and I saw Maxine calling. I glanced at the guy whose eyes were still on me and arch my brow at him before I began walking towards Gate 3.

Iniwan ko na ang gwapong lalaki roon at hindi na nagpaalam pa. I tapped on the screen and answered her call.